China unveils J-36 sixth-generation stealth fighter in bold show of force, raising alarms over potential challenge to US air dominance

China’s military has for the first time shown a new, tailless combat aircraft widely identified by analysts as their sixth-generation fighter jet J-36, a large, unconventional prototype that flew in public alongside a J-20 chase plane and has reignited debate about whether Beijing is closing the technology gap with the West.

According to the Sun, the futuristic, UFO-like sixth-generation fighter has been hailed by military experts as a “super-weapon” and “one of the most advanced aircraft ever built.” Military analysts suggest the new jet could mark the beginning of a new era of air superiority for China.

According to the Sun, the aircraft’s first test flight reportedly took place on December 26, the birthday of Chairman Mao Zedong, the founder of the People’s Republic of China.

Experts noted several refinements compared to the prototype spotted in December 2024, including reshaped exhausts, a redesigned landing gear system, and other structural adjustments as China continues to fine-tune the aircraft’s design.

However, some reports suggested that the Chinese Communist Party may have intentionally allowed the footage to spread, as there appeared to be no attempt to restrict its circulation.
Several nations, including the United States, have been locked in a race to develop sixth-generation fighter technology, making the unveiling of the J-36 a notable achievement for China’s air force.
The cutting-edge aircraft features a tailless design, relying on advanced computer systems instead of traditional vertical stabilizers to maintain stability and control. Such tailless configurations are far more difficult to detect by radar, suggesting the jet is designed primarily for stealth and covert operations.
According to the Sun website, images indicate that the new aircraft is roughly comparable in size to the J-20, measuring an estimated 70 feet in length. The jet’s most distinctive feature appears to be the placement of its air intakes, located both atop the fuselage and along its sides.

Euan Graham, an analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said the new designs “show the willingness of China’s aviation industry to experiment and innovate”.

“Whatever the merits or demerits, it appears to be a highly original design,” he said.

Sixth-generation fighter jets represent the next step in advanced aircraft design, surpassing fifth-generation models. These cutting-edge concepts typically feature artificial intelligence integration and enhanced stealth capabilities. The United States is expected to deploy its first operational sixth-generation fighter around 2030.